Shah Ismail, the mastermind of the new glorious Safavid dynasty was born on this day. His father Sultan Heydar was a warrior. In a series of battles beween 1500 and 1502 Shah Ismail defeated great enemies including Ak Koyunlu Turcomans and seized power. He proclaimed kingdom and declared Shiite faith as the official religion. This was the essential step for Iranians to regain independence from Caliphates. Because Iranians had already accepted Islam but were displeased with being under shadow of Caliphates who were mostly corrupt despots and tyrants. Shah Ismail united the country again and used his native Turkish language to get support from tribal Turkish leaders which were dominant powers all over the region. After defeating Uzbeks and seizing northern Iraq he succeeded in creating a central government similar to the Sassanid model. Now his only rivals were another Turkish power; The Ottomans. (Updated: Dec, 30, 2007)